The mamma to be is all white: Beyonce proudly shows off her baby bump in a frilly two-piece as she soaks up the sun on holiday in Croatia

She proudly showed off her baby bump as she announced to the world at the MTV Video Music Awards last week that she was expecting her first child. And yesterday Beyonce's burgeoning belly was back on display as she and husband Jay-Z holidayed in Croatia.

The singer was snapped soaking up the sun and displaying her bump in a white frilly two-piece as she and her rapper other half waited for a boat on the island of Hvar.

Cooling off: Beyonce and husband Jay-Z clutched at Bounty ice creams as they waited for their boat to take them to their yacht

Fresh-faced with her big bouncy curls loose around her face and shoulders, she looked like she didn't have a care in the world as she stood at the water's edge.

Under the watchful eye of a protective bodyguard, the singer, who is believed to be five months pregnant, was helped aboard a small boat which was to take her, Jay-Z and their friends back to a luxury yacht on which they have been staying.

Easy does it: A protective bodyguard reaches out to help Beyonce along the walkway

Earlier they had all been snapped walking back to the makeshift dock after enjoying a bite to eat in one of the island's restaurants.

Two days ago, Beyonce and Jay-Z were snapped greeting close friend actress Gwyneth Paltrow on board as she arrived bearing gifts to celebrate Beyonce's 30th birthday.

That's a strange place to sunbathe! Beyonce and Jay-Z appear not to notice the holidaymaker lying in an unusual spot

Is that our boat? The trio get ready to head back to the luxury yacht

Gwyneth, who is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin with whom she has two children, daughter Apple, six, and Moses, five, was in the historic Italian city to promote her new movie Contagion, alongside co-star Matt Damon at the Venice Film Festival.

It was the first time Beyonce had been pictured since announcing her pregnancy and after welcoming her Oscar-winning friend on the boat, she was snapped walking around the deck tenderly cradling her baby bump as she enjoyed a refreshing juice.

Summer breeze: Beyonce pushes her bouncy curls out of her eyes as her husband goes to put his arm around her

Nice to see you! Beyonce flashes a smile at the camera as she and Jay-Z chat to some friends

She slipped her pregnancy figure into what appeared to be a pair of loose fitting white trousers and a navy vest.

On Sunday, which was Beyonce's milestone big day, she and her husband, who were also celebrating their anniversary having married on September 4, 2008, in New York, were spotted leaving their five-star hotel in Venice for a romantic birthday dinner.

Could this woman be any happier? Beyonce flashes another beaming smile over her shoulder as she and her party head back to the boat

Beyoncé debuted her baby bump in an orange Lanvin gown and told the assembled press: 'I have a surprise!' at the MTV Video Music Awards, late last month.

And the singer didn't let her pregnancy prevent her from bringing the house down with an energetic performance.

She was cheered on by Jay-Z, who performed new single Otis with Kanye West before she took to the stage.

Swapping notes? Mother-of-two and close friend Gwyneth Paltrow joined Beyonce and Jay-Z on the yacht in Venice on Sunday

Me and my baby: Beyonce was spotted taking a moment to tenderly cradle her baby bump as she sipped at a glass of juice

Speaking to Piers Morgan in June, she hinted: 'I always said I was going to have a baby at 30. I'm 29 now.

'But I also said I was going to retire at 30. So I don't know,' she said, adding: 'I am not retiring, I tell you.'

Pressed by Morgan she said: 'Only God knows, only God knows.'

'I have a surprise!': Beyoncé debuted her baby bump and announced her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards last month